The Mavericks emerge as favorites to sign shooting guard Klay Thompson, according to NBA insider Marc Stein. This comes following some recent roster activity by the Mavericks.
Mavericks Emerge As Favorites To Sign Top Free Agent
Klay Thompson is set to test free agency this offseason after playing all 11 years of his NBA career for the Golden State Warriors.
“With the Warriors and Thompson nowhere close to a contract agreement after a tumultuous season marked by fractious negotiations, multiple sources have indicated that the Mavericks are likely to emerge as the favorite to sign the shooting guard,” Stein wrote.
Stein reported earlier Friday that the Mavericks were “intent on exploring the feasibility of signing Thompson.” The Warriors and Klay Thompson have made no headway in contract discussions.
A week ago, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported that the Warriors had not given an offer of any kind to Thompson and that there had been “no productive discussion between the Warriors and Thompson or his representatives.” It seems that both parties are still at an impasse as Stein reported the two sides remain “nowhere close.”
Thompson, who averaged 17.9 points per game last season—his lowest points tally since 2013—was dropped to the Warriors’ bench during the season. The Warriors are looking to surround Stephen Curry with as much high-end talent as possible. Klay Thompson shot 41.2% from behind the arc just two seasons ago. Despite his accuracy from distance, he has delivered inconsistently. Klay may just not be a quality second option in the NBA anymore. That is not good enough for the Warriors, who are trying to compete for another championship.
Mavericks Looking to Get One Step Closer
The Mavericks traded away veteran guard Tim Hardaway Jr. to the Detroit Pistons for Quentin Grimes. It was a salary dump, and the trade gave them an attractive asset in Quentin Grimes.
That move has created some cap flexibility for the Mavs. The Mavs have cleared enough cap off their books to qualify for the full non-taxpayer mid-level exception. They could use that cap space to re-sign Derrick Jones Jr. The Mavs have maintained that he is a priority. They could use that newfound cap space to make a bigger splash in free agency. This means that they could make a bid to lure Klay to the Lone Star State. So the Mavericks have emerged as favorites to sign the shooting guard.
The Mavericks finished the 2023-24 season just three wins away from a second-ever championship. They have most of the team under contract for at least the next two years. Going up against the eventual champions, the Boston Celtics, it became pretty obvious that the Mavs need a third scoring option. The Boston Celtics used a variety of coverages against Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving. They often forced them to take tough contested shots or kick out to free teammates. Unfortunately, the Mavs’ supporting cast failed to make threes on a consistent basis throughout the series. PJ Washington, who shot the ball unbelievably well during the Thunder series, flashed as a third scoring option during that series. It turned out to be just that—a flash.
Klay Thompson, as a four-time champion, fits seamlessly alongside Luka and Kyrie. He immediately elevates their floor as a team with his championship experience. Klay built his reputation as a scorer off the catch. That is a perfect fit for the ball-dominant Mavs backcourt. He will get acres of space to shoot alongside them. Perhaps Klay will be the force to push them over the hump in their quest for another championship.
